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Cotton seeds from Egypt sent to William Bosson (1806-1887) from a source in Washington and successfully produced cotton from them in Murfreesboro. McAlister and Wheeless write that Bosson's sample is "the finest sample of cotton, we ever saw grown in this country, save the Sea Islands." With a newspaper article reprinting Bosson's 'sample enclosed' letter and requesting local planters to let the editor(s) know whether or not anyone in the same climate has previously attempted to cultivate cotton on a large scale. An accompanying manuscript note by Bosson explains that McAlister and Wheeless are "prominent Cotton Brokers" in Nashville.

Typed transcription of the letter on page 87.

Typed transcriptions of the note and letters on page 89.

Envelope with note from William Bosson (1806-1887). The envelope contains letters by Julia/Julietta/Juliette Burnett (1831-1898), future wife of William Bosson, and a letter by Julietta's mother. A manuscript note by William Bosson states that he married Julietta Burnett on January 24, 1855, in Russell, Geauga County, Ohio. Bosson met her at a Sunday School convention in Sparta, Tennessee, in 1852 where she was staying at a boarding house to "escape the Winter of a Northern climate" "as an invalid." Suggests that his calling on her at her boarding house the same day they met "ripened to our final union." Below the envelope is another note from William Bosson (1806-1887) and a lock of hair from Charles T. Bosson's (1791-1864) 2-year-old daughter Sarah Beth Bosson.

Asks William Bosson (1806-1887) what form of answer he prefers, written or verbal.

Letter 4 of 4, page 89: Compliments William Bosson's (1806-1887) speedy letter-writing; mentions an afternoon spent together with another friend writing letters. The afternoon included a "delightful" conversation that made it "one of the happiest events of my life." Sending her likeness on the condition that he return it to her mother the next time he passes through the area. She will send him a better one when she is in Cleveland. Asks that he receive it "kindly" and anticipates receiving one from him. Mentions a visit by her physician. The doctor suggested she looked better and would recover but might have a "light" cough for the rest of her life. Refers to a letter her mother wrote to Bosson and asks for his thoughts on it. Worries that it might sour their relationship. Methodist meeting.

Letter 1 of 4, page 89: Addresses him as "Dearest Friend" despite Bosson having not addressed her by a similarly intimate title. Desire to see him again; is certain they will meet again. Identifies the location of her intense assuredness and hope in her heart rather than in her brain, as "Phrenologists always tell me the organ of hope is not largely developed in my head..." Visits the Beckwiths and Alexandria. Travel in the rain.

Letter 2 of 4, page 89: Mentions letter and Sparta Times she received from William Bosson (1806-1887). Juliette is the consulted and trusted older sister figure for her younger siblings. Conversation she had with Bosson about leaving her "home, parents sisters, and friends all for you." She didn't know how she would feel about the question when he asked her but she now knows that she would: "you are dearer than they all."

Letter 3 of 4, page 89: Juliette's mother is not able to determine his character because she never met him. Suggests that she will not oppose the marriage and that she trusts that Bosson and her daughter have thought carefully about their union and future together. Mentions Julia's health and Bosson's responsibility as her protector after marriage. Suggests that she does not believe that mothers should have a role in "maneuvering to establish their daughters." Separating from Julia will be difficult and she requests that Julia not leave while the weather is nice.

Manuscript note from William Bosson (1806-1887), with an accompanying typed transcription. This is labeled as a "SPECIAL FIRST PAGE" in the seven generations book. William's introductory statement about a series of documents he has collected and his desire for this collection to be preserved. The papers are letters of his father William Bosson (1753-1823 or 1824), written between 1813 and 1817 and letters of his brother Charles T. Bosson (1791-1864). Makes special mention of communications by distinguished men: "W. Heath, a General of the Massachusetts Line in the days of 1775 a cousin of my mother," "Elbridge Gerry in 1802 Governor of Massachusetts & in 1813 Vice President of the United States," "Henry Clay, then Speaker of the Lower House of Congress," "Amos Kendall--lawyer, editor of the Frankfort Argus (Kentucky) & in 1832 Postmaster General appointed by President Andrew Jackson," "classmate Edward Everett & others of the class of 1811 Harvard University."